Special Reports

"Report from the Environment Committee" and Stormwater Tour of Fairhaven Stormwater Report.pdf

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:56:48 -0700

“ THE GOOD - THE BAD - THE UGLY ”

A WALKING TOUR OF FAIRHAVEN’S STORMWATER SYSTEMS

PRESENTED BY THE FAIRHAVEN NEIGHBORS ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
June 13, 2008
reference
materials
BEGIN TOUR : The Fairhaven Transportation Center

Walking East along Harris Avenue:
– Note Haskell property to the South, GIS map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A
Neighborhood will participate in a design charette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L & N
– Note Port properties to the West and East, stormwater problems GIS map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A
Coalition of South Neighborhoods (CSN) has requested new stormwater treatment systems,
Replacement of impervious parking lots, new riparian areas on all sides of the lagoon. . . . . G
– Note Public Works new drains, get water off roadway and into lagoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I
Street and Stormwater Department in conflict.

STOP 1: The Padden Creek Estuary and Lagoon

Discussion of pocket estuaries values, impacts of untreated stormwater
– Natal and non-natal ‘at risk’ pocket estuary essential for Salmon survival. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C
– City owns lagoon, Port owns riparian, see photo-site map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B
– 1988 and 1989 Agreements; promises by City and Port not honored . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G
– flooded lagoon photos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U
– 27" storm pipe collecting Fairhaven, South Hill and Happy Valley stormwater . . . . . . . . . . . . H
Outfall under Harris Avenue Bridge GIS map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A
– Park Department Estuary Restoration Study 1990, partially completed work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H
– Demonstration Pilot recommendations 4 highly rated habitat restoration projects not done . . . P
– Waterfront Futures Group Recommendations, adopted by Resolution 2005-04 . . . . . . . . . . . . R
Restore 100' on each side of estuary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Q
– City’s Pocket Estuary Report recommendation: Padden ‘most valuable for restoration’ . . . . . K

– Walk south across Harris Avenue to trail adjacent to the estuary:

–Note: Park staff discussion January 2007 about trail too close to estuary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..H
–Note: Park staff planning a trail bridge across the estuary, to open up culvert. . . . . . . . . . . . . . H
–Note: Neighborhood will work with Haskell to protect estuary and 100' riparian,
-request above ground bioswale stormwater treatment of development runoff
-request all pervious walkways, driveways, and parking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I & L

STOP 2: 8th Street and McKenzie Avenue

Note: Watershed directly upslope new impervious surfaces cover all land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D
Note: Storm events causing untreated runoff, photos Park Dept temp fix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U
Note: Settlement provides for 8th Street closure and public trail construction, per WFG . . . . . . Q
Trail should be pervious, should replace the west trail to protect the estuary . . . . . . . . . . . . . J
Note: Ted’s original plan called for rain gardens, but was overruled in favor of a vault system . I

STOP 3: Walking the Fairhaven Village Streets

Walk along 9th Street to Harris, photos show repairs made to fix drainage GIS map and photos .U
Note: Harris Square: 2003 Bill Reilly (pers comm): no treatment needed - too close to the bay
- Treatment vault for Harris Square, engineering drawings and GIS map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A
Walk along Harris to 10th Street, photos of flooding streets, and businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U
Walk along Harris to 11th Street, photos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U
Walk east on Harris to 14th Note: stormwater piping GIS map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A
Walk east Harris to 15-16th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I

STOP 4: Matthei Place Driveways and Parking Areas

Pervious driveways and parking lot protect Padden Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J
Stormwater from surrounding areas mostly discharged into Harris or 14th St. storm pipes . . . . . A

Walk along Harris Avenue, to16th St, past City firehouse w/ impervious surface driveways. . I & J

Walk west on McKenzie Avenue to 14th Street

STOP 5: Rain Garden for Redeveloped Old Firehouse

Note: Stormwater treatment system recommended by Watershed Master Plan 1995. . . . . . . . . . I
Walk west along McKenzie along new development. storm drainage system? . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..I
Walk south along 13th Street, Note: leaking private water system.
Walk west to 12th Street
Walk south along 12th Street across Old Fairhaven Parkway

STOP 6: 12th Street Village Development

Stormwater Treatment System, see schematic and GIS map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A & E
Private ownership problems to operate and maintain, personal communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U

Walk east to 14th Street

STOP 7: City alley with pervious paving

Only one of its kind in Bellingham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I & J

Note: Mention 2200' stormwater tunnel from 17th to 22nd further east. Project #9 in
Stormwater Funding Strategy, 2000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F & S & T
Walk south on trail connector, point out 12th Street outfall, and photos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A & U
Note: 14th Street outfall, GIS map and photos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A & U

STOP 8: Walking the Lower Padden Creek Corridor Trail from Fairhaven Park to 4th

- Walking discussion of stormwater impacts to Padden Creek, and
monitoring reports of failed water quality tests year after year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C

- Note: 2000 Stormwater Funding Strategy designed to address existing stormwater problems
Three projects along Padden Creek #5; #9; #13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O & S & T

west on trail: point out subsidence during 12th street Village construction, photos . . . . . . . . . . . U
west on trail: street outfalls on the south, direct discharge without filtering, GIS map . . . . . . . . A
west on trail: fish ladders need redesign, Jim Johannessen - personal communication
west on trail: to 10th and Donovan, junk car in ravine, City promised to restore 1994 . . . . . . . . G
west on trail: to McKenzie Square outfall from vault- no above ground pervious surfaces . . . . I
west on trail: to culvert that may become a foot bridge. Park staff communication
west on trail mention alternate nesting site for Great Blue Heron Colony,
needs surrounding buffer zone of 100 meters. Colony Assessment, May 2000. . . . . . . . .C
west on trail: stormwater repairs along trail after Park staff meeting, Jan. 2008, photo . . . . . . . U

STOP 9: Larrabee Marsh Stormwater System

Edgemoor storm drainage and filtering system - 1973, GIS map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A & M
Discussion of 1980 Plan stormwater design recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A & M
Discussion of 1993-1995 COB Watershed Master Plan recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I
Discussion of 2006 letter from14 scientists re: the 5 principles of watershed protection . . . . . . J

Walk trail to 4th Street
Time permitting: Walk south to top of bluff for orientation of area

Note: Post Point and Marine Park shoreline restoration work by
Jim Johannessen and Coastal Geological Services
Walk trail north to Harris Avenue
END TOUR at Fairhaven Transportation Center

Tour presented by the Fairhaven Neighbors Environment Committee
Members: Susan Kaun, Glenn Denkler, Shelly Pravda, Jim Johannessen
FN President, Vince Biciunas

REFERENCE MATERIALS CITED ON STORMWATER TOUR -

A.). COB GIS Map of Stormwater Utility in Fairhaven (outside cover)

B.) Port Site Plan C1.0 for Padden Creek Estuary and Lagoon (inside cover)

C.) Landscape Functions of Bellingham’s Pocket Estuaries
from Kaun’s List of 21 Best Available Science studies and reports

D.) Fairhaven Commercial District Parking Map - showing development

E.) Site Plan, 12th Street Village - stormwater systems

F.) Map of Padden Creek partial Watershed, indicating 1880's shoreline, and 2200' stormwater tunnel

G.) Promises from public officials in City and Port 1988 and 1989.

H.) Park Dept. Padden Creek Estuary Area Planning Study, 1990, (partial)

I.) COB Watershed Master Plan, 1993 and 1995, Padden Creek Watershed (partial)

J.) Letter to the Puget Sound Partner from 14 scientists, outlining the 5 principles of watershed restoration, October 26, 2006

K.) Management Recommendations for COB Pocket Estuaries, February 2006

L. The Seattle Times - Neighborhood and developer reach agreement

The following reference materials are available upon request:

M.) Neighborhood Plan, Fairhaven, 1980, (partial)

N.) COB 1989 Shoreline Master Program (partial)

O.) COB Storm and Surface Water Utility, Funding Strategy, August 2000, (partial)

P.) COB Bellingham Bay Demonstration Pilot, 1999, (partial)

Q.) Waterfront Futures Group Recommendations, December 2004, (partial)

R.) COB Resolution 2005 - 04 adopting WFG recommendations

S.) Presentation to Bill Reilly, Manager, Storm and Surface Water Fund,
by FN Stormwater Committee of past, present and future stormwater issues in Fairhaven, May 1, 2006

T.) Draft report from FN Stormwater Committee to FN Board, “Follow the Money”
September 6, 2006, provided to Council Members B. Ryan and J. Beardsley.

U. Kaun’s tour photo

No Group Left Behind (NGLB)

Sat, 26 May 2007 15:09:22 -0700

download letter and policy attachment Stormwater Report.pdf

Undocketed: email for informational purposes Undocketed 5-17-07.pdf

Thu, 17 May 2007 21:22:38 -0700

From: vince@biciunas.com
Subject: Undocketed
Date: May 17, 2007 7:27:00 PM PDT

Dear Fairhaven Neighbors:

Read today's letter to us from Tim Stewart. He has made the decision to remove our Code Revision Proposal from the city's docket for consideration this year.

I have replied to the Herald's reporter Jared Paben that:
"Yes, of course we think we'll be able to come to agreement with the business community, now that they'll take the time to consider it (I hope). One of our biggest disappointments to date has been how much effort was expended questioning the process and how little attention was given to the proposal itself.

The intensity of the reaction to our proposed code revision (not neighborhood plan nor comprehensive plan revision, though both documents support the code revision) gives you an idea of how sensitive and timely this issue is. Fairhaven is undergoing a huge growth spurt, and Areas 5 & 8 have little to no direction in the code. This is a huge concern for many in the whole community.

Now that the procedural questions are behind us, the rest should be easy! I say this sincerely, assuming a genuine desire from all concerned to protect the best of Fairhaven. We will certainly reply to Tim Stewart that we would like to participate in city-sponsored meetings to get to work. We also support the idea of finding a neutral professional to assist in the update of the Design Standards for Fairhaven."

Given the sincerity of Mr Stewart's letter, we can only be hopeful for a good outcome. However, he does not mention the real political pressure exerted this last week, nor the threat of lawsuit from Doug Robertson. We'll see how this develops.

Please let me know what you think.

Vince Biciunas
Fairhaven Neighbors

May 16th letter from Tim Stewart undocketing link to pdf file

Wed, 16 May 2007 21:32:53 -0700

Open Letter to Tim Stewart and Fairhaven Neighbors link to pdf file

Fri, 11 May 2007 21:12:49 -0700

May 11, 2007

Timothy Stewart, AICP, Director, Planning and Community Development
City of Bellingham
210 Lottie Street
Bellingham, WA 98225

And

Open Letter to All Fairhaven Neighbors
Bellingham, WA 98225

RE: Bellingham Regulatory Code Changes Proposed For Fairhaven

Dear Planning Director Tim Stewart and Fellow Fairhaven Neighbors:

I’d like to recap for you where we stand today on our code revision proposal for Fairhaven. I also want to thank you, Mr. Stewart, for the opportunity you have provided for average citizens involved in a neighborhood association to participate in their neighborhood’s planning process. We have gotten to know each other better and learned to appreciate Fairhaven and each other more than ever before.

As described in our application packet of November 30, 2006, we have conducted a survey of our neighbors, mailed out a letter on April 9, 2007 with attachments explaining our proposal including the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan highlights showing support for our proposal, and the text of both the original submission and the March, 2007 Draft, and held a special public meeting on April 26, 2007. We are still in the process of gathering further public comment and look forward to preparing a new iteration of the proposal taking into account new insights from the recent public input and from meetings yet to be scheduled.

The questionnaire had a very high return rate, 36%, and results show that a great majority of us really care about Fairhaven and are concerned that future development maintains a pedestrian friendly tone and preserves the historic character of Fairhaven. The waterfront and the natural environment together with parking issues are prominent concerns also. I am including a copy of the complete survey results plus Summary and Appendix A with respondents’ comments by question and Appendix B with response rates by geographic area within the neighborhood. This information is also available on our web site www.fairhavenneighbors.org. I want to reiterate that the majority of respondents do support a strengthening of rules to protect the neighborhood character.

Our official public meeting on April 26, 2007 for presentation and comment to begin the community conversation was very well attended with 85 people who signed in and 16 who signed up to speak. Michael Lilliquist gave a graphic presentation of the questionnaire results and described how our proposed changes to the Bellingham Municipal Code intend to clarify the design review law to make both its purpose and application more easily understood, and ‘close the loopholes’ for height limits in the few unregulated sections in the approach and influence areas of Fairhaven. Speakers were then invited to the podium to be heard, and written comments were also encouraged and have been collected.

Most comments in support of the code amendment echoed the sentiment of A. Liljegren: “I’ve lived in Fairhaven for many years, and want to see real protections added to our City Code.” Some of the other opinions expressed are concerned that the proposed height limits will or will not comply with Growth Management Act density requirements, (D. Pike and D. Robertson), that parking and traffic flow issues should be addressed (F. Repanich) and question ample notification to property owners (B. Cartwright, P. McKee).

Because this is a public process, and still in the early stages, I would like to propose moving forward by inviting all stakeholders to participate in at least one more meeting, and include City Planning Department Staff, to reach closer agreement on the intent, if not final wording, of the code revision proposal. The March 2007 Draft is not likely the final proposal to be submitted to the City Council for their ultimate decision. The legal and planning staff professionals are responsible for that document.

For us Fairhaven neighbors and stakeholders, it is time to come to a closer agreement, if possible, on what the future development in Fairhaven should look like. To that end, the regulatory code should clearly define our intent. Where we as neighbors might have differences amongst us, we should continue to work to reach a better understanding of each others interests at the minimum, and optimally, reach a compromise solution.

I hope that bringing this discussion out into the open this year will help protect the Fairhaven we all consider our home.

Respectfully,

Vince Biciunas
President, Fairhaven Neighbors

Attachments:
Questionnaire Results with Appendix A & B
Fairhaven Design Review Code Proposals March 2007 and November 2006
Bellingham Comprehensive Plan Support for the Proposal (3 pages)
Fairhaven Maps of Design Review District, Current and Proposed Height Limits